Del Piero 'understands' Juve fans

Alessandro Del Piero tried to calm the fan protests after a third straight Juventus defeat. “It's understandable they are disappointed.”

The Bianconeri now face a struggle to even qualify for the Europa League, having lost three on the trot to Lecce, Bologna and Milan without scoring a single goal.

“It is not a very positive time, but we absolutely must and indeed need to do better,” said the captain who only played 10 minutes last night.

“We have to find the hunger to get out of this situation and always put in the effort. What really counts is putting your heart and soul into it.

“The fans are upset and it's understandable they are disappointed.”

Juve supporters reacted angrily to the latest setback, hurling fireworks at half-time and holding up banners such as this quote from legend Giampiero Boniperti: ‘At Juve winning is not important. It's the only thing that counts.'

The Old Lady have amassed only 10 points in their last 11 Serie A games, suffering seven defeats, including four on home turf.

The media also turned on Gigi Del Neri, as the front page of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport declares: ‘Bring in Gianluca Vialli!'